Padma Bhushan award will motivate me for Rio Olympics: Saina Nehwal

Bengaluru, Jan. 25 (ANI): Ace Indian shuttler Saina Nehwal on Monday thanked the government and the Ministry of youth affairs and sports for awarding her with the Padma Bhushan award and said that the honour would motivate her to make the country proud at the upcoming Rio Olympics.

“It’s a very big achievement and I since I was not expecting it, it’s a major surprise. I would like to thank the government, the ministry and Vimal Kumar sir. This award totally goes to him. When my confidence was down, at that time he made me believe that I can do it,” Saina told the media here.

She added that the award had given her a lot of motivation and she hoped that she performs well in Olympics.

“It’s like a dream come true. This award has given me a lot of motivation and I hope that I live up to the expectations,” Saina said.

On the eve of Republic Day, the government announced the list for the Padma Awards 2016 and girl power seemed to get prominence on the list.

Internationally acclaimed actress Priyanka Chopra will be awarded this year with tyhe Padma Shri, where as tennis queen Sania Mirza and badminton star Saina Nehwal will be conferred with Padma Bhushan.